A new map shows which areas of Florida will be impacted by the forecasted 'dirty rain' this weekend—a weather phenomenon that combines torrential rain with dust that has traveled over 3,000 miles to visit the U.S.
Florida's regular tropical thunderstorms will be interrupted this weekend by a dust cloud from Saharan Africa, where this type of weather is more common. The cloud will create a rainy effect that may be hazardous to those with respiratory issues.
According to maps from meteorologist Brandon Orr of South Florida's local station, WPLG, the hazy cloud will affect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Key West, and the entire Southern tip.
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When combined with the dust particles on its way down, the rain creates a 'dirty rain' effect, which also leaves a film on cars, homes, and anyone outside in it.
"As the tropical wave approaches and moves northwestward across the state from Sunday to Tuesday, an uptick in the showers and thunderstorms will occur with the potential for some to bring flooding downpours, strong wind gusts and even waterspouts near the beaches," AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said in a statement online.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the 100-degree weather creates fine, dry, dust particles which are picked up by winds and end up in the air. On occasion, strong Western winds will carry the dust particles to another area. In this case, 3,000 miles away to Florida.
"The next round of Saharan dust from Africa has arrived in Miami this morning. It will be extra hazy with lower air quality this weekend," Orr posted on X, formerly Twitter , on Saturday morning.
While it may complicate things for those with asthma or other respiratory diseases, dust rain may actually be beneficial environmentally. The Environmental Protection Agency says that the rain carries phosphorous, an essential nutrient in soil, and that it positively affects vegetation and soil .
While these passing periods of dust with rainstorms is considered “dirty” and inconvenient, 'dirty rain' is not a devastating weather phenomenon overall. Rainfall in the central Florida Peninsula is predicted to reach 1-2 inches, with southwestern Florida possibly seeing up to 2-3 inches.
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The magnitude of this dust migration is truly astounding. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an estimated 182 million tons of dust departs Africa each year, fluctuating based on rainfall patterns south of the Sahara. The dust plume is often so extensive that satellites can monitor it from space.
DaSilva added that the Atlantic basin will likely remain calm throughout this week due to large swathes of Saharan dust and dry air inhibiting the potential for tropical waves to form. South Florida typically experiences the height of these Saharan air episodes in June and July.
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